Children are well-known for living in the moment and not thinking too much about the future. It’s our job as parents to make sure they’re not jeopardizing their long-term health while still letting them have fun.
One aspect of health that is often forgotten by children and parents alike is eye health. If you’re worried about your child’s eyesight, then it’s never too soon to start teaching them about the importance of looking after their vision. Here are some ways you can get started:
Treat them to some sunglasses
One of the easiest ways that children can protect their eyes is by wearing sunglasses. While some little ones might be reluctant to wear them or often forget that they need to, a new pair of fun shades can be exactly what they need. Most children will zone out when you’re telling them about how harmful UVA and UVB rays are, but they’ll love wearing some glittery frames with colored lenses. Alternatively, if your kids are a little older, the whole family could get matching shades, such as these Ray Ban sunglasses by FramesDirect. Your children will feel really stylish and your family pictures will be ones to remember.
Encourage screen breaks
Children these days are often glued to their iPads, computers, or televisions, but too much screen time can be detrimental to their eye health. Not only will children be more prone to headaches, but they might event develop eye strain or end up with blurred vision. Use parental controls to limit the amount of time your children can spend in front of their devices or set timers so your kids know when it’s time to move around and do something else. Make sure kids have an incentive to look away from their YouTube videos by planning a fun activity they can look forward to.
Make optician visits fun and educational
Some children hate visiting the optician and may even take a knock to their confidence if they end up needing glasses. Try to explain to children as far as possible that glasses aren’t a bad thing and that they’ll help them live their lives to the fullest. You could even ask your optician to make a game of the eye test and whether they have any stickers to reward good behavior. It can also be a good idea to let your kids have some say in the glasses they end up getting, as this will make them more likely to wear their new specs.
Lead by example
Ultimately, children are more likely to do something if they see their loved ones doing it too. If you wear glasses, then make sure you wear them when you need to so your children don’t feel left out. Similarly, if you spend a lot of time in front of a screen, grab your kids when you’re going for a quick walk and make a family activity out of it. Once these habits are family rules, kids won’t feel like they’re being singled out and will be more likely to get used to their new healthier routines.
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